1.
Zen students are with their masters at least ten years before they presume to teach others. Nan-in was visited by Tenno, who, having passed his apprenticeship, had become a teacher. The day happened to be rainy, so Tenno wore wooden clogs and carried an umbrella. After greeting him Nan-in remarked: “I suppose you left your wooden clogs in the vestibule. I want to know if your umbrella is on the right or left side of the clogs.”
Tenno, confused, had no instant answer. He realized that he was unable to carry his Zen every minute. He became Nan-in’s pupil, and he studied six more years to accomplish his every-minute Zen.
—Paul Reps, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: A Collection of Zen and Pre-Zen Writings
2.
The daily practice of [Shoma] Morita’s method is meditation in itself. The focus of attention is brought back again and again to what reality has brought us in each moment. The themes of knowing our purpose, accepting our feelings, and doing what needs to be done are scanned again and again throughout the day.
—David Reynolds, Playing Ball on Running Water: Living Morita Psychotherapy: The Japanese Way to Building a Better Life
3.
According to Dogen— miracles are such daily activities as fetching water and carrying firewood. Every breath we take is a miracle. But, as we often focus on imperfection, lack, and failure, we become cranky and unhappy. So Dogen’s words can be a good reminder of the miracles of each moment.
—Kazuaki Tanahashi, Painting Peace: Art in a Time of Global Crisis
